British Council Film Collection

Trinity House

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About the film

The work of Trinity House, England’s General Lighthouse Authority, and the life of a lighthouse-keeper.

Details

Release year

1942

Director

John Eldridge

Production company

John Eldridge and Martin Curtis

Producer

John Eldridge

Cinematographers

Lionel Banes, George Noble

Composer

William Alwyn

Narration

Frank Phillips

Running time (minutes)

09 mins 47 secs

Original Description

The Work of Pilots, Lighthouses and Lightships
‘On Tower Hill stands the fire-scarred shell of Trinity House, but its work goes on. This work is the administration of Britain’s 1,217 lighthouses, 87 lightships, pilot boats, buoys and other aids to navigation. Today Trinity House pilots steer through mine-fields as well as hidden shoals and reefs. A lighthouse-keeper’s life is described.’
(Films of Britain - British Council Film Department Catalogue - 1942-43)

Trivia

The main character in this film, Bill Blewitt, was a genuine Cornish fisherman and postman. After a chance encounter with director Harry Watt, he starred in GPO documentary The Saving of Bill Blewitt (1937), and would go on to have roles in a handful of feature films such as Nine Men (1943). He also features in the British Council film S.O.S. (1940).

The S.S. Harmala was sunk on 7th February 1943, not longer after Trinity House was released.